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Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric has been crowned the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year for 2017/18 ahead of former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.

Modric beat off competition from former Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, who joined him on the three-man shortlist announced on 20 August.

The Croatian international received the trophy on stage in Monaco during the UEFA Champions League group stage draw. He was also named UEFA Champions League Midfielder of the Season.

“It’s an incredible moment for me – I’m excited and proud. Thanks to everyone who voted for me, my club, my team-mates, my coaches who support me in my good moments and less good moments. This award belongs to them too.

“My father is the person who took me to my first training session and pushed me to fight for my dreams and never give up. I owe him a lot for everything,” he said.

Speaking on why Luka Modric won the votes, the UEFA Technical Observers when selecting Modrić in the 2017/18 UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season said: “Always available to receive the ball, he is incredibly important to how the champions want to play.”